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Hi from Perth

Hi my name is Tracy, and today have been told by my GP that I have a high level in a blood test that could be a sign of lupus. I had been complaining of aching knees, elbows, and shins for a few months, but put it down to heavy work I had been doing at home (and age LOL). My family has a history of arthritis so to be sure he did testing for those, but all of that showed negative. But some ANTI-DNA (FEIA) level was high apparently, so now I am referred to a specialist.

I've been doing some Dr Google, as we all do, but am getting more and more confused by what I am finding LOL...... I do remember complaining about sore knees a few years ago as well, and was sent off for xrays which showed nothing. I'm not really sure what else to 'look back on' for further possible symptoms that may have been there but I have never connected as I'd never even thought about Lupus...........

hi tracy, and welcome.
there are quite a few other Australians on here.
and a few from perth also.

so you are not alone in this.

I presume the specialist you are referring to is a rheumatologist.
they are the normal profession to help us.
but finding a caring one is not always as easy as it sounds.
please keep us informed on your progress.

Thanks for your reply, I see you aren't too far from me - I'm in Baldivis. Yes specialist is rheumatologist - someone in Midland, but my GP has high regards for him. I'm kinda a bit confused by all the information I've read so far.....

Hi Tracy;
Welcome to our family. I completely understand how, being newly diagnosed, all of this can seem confusing to you. You must remember that Lupus is a disease that affects each of us differently. So, it is difficult to pin anything down with this disease. Also, our treatment depends upon how the disease has affected us. Also, our lab tests can say one thing at one testing and then say something completely different at another testing.
Many of us have been able to look back on our youth and early adulthood and discover that the symptoms we were suffering from during those times in our lives could probably be attributed to Lupus. While doing so is often a revelation to us, it is not as important as concentrating on the symptoms that we are displaying now; what (if anything) affects those symptoms, what treatment options are best for us, and what lifestyle changes we may need to make in order to manage our illness.
You are very lucky to have a doctor who recognizes the symptoms of Lupus and who has readily referred you to a rheumatologist. Your Rheumatologist will most likely run a battery of tests also. Testing for Lupus is actually a process of elimination and may take some time before you get a definitive diagnoses. Please know that this is a difficult disease to diagnose as the disease changes and it mimics so many other diseases. So, do not get frustrated if you do not receive a diagnosis quickly. What is much more important is that your doctor treat your symptoms while you are in the diagnostic process. In this way, you can get some relief from those symptoms and manage your symptoms in order to maintain a reasonable state of health.
Please let us know how your appointment goes, how you are doing, and what treatments you and your doctor decide on. I wish you the very best.